Tamil Affairs

Tamil News

Latest news from and about the homeland

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Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader Mano Ganesan has accused the National People's Power (NPP) government of hypocrisy over the arrest of Tamil rapper Sangeethsan Ganeskumar under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), pointing to NPP politicians who had themselves circulated songs glorifying the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during election campaigns. Sangeethsan, known…

Sri Lanka may only get 6 votes of support at UN Human Rights Council

The Sri Lankan government may have the backing of just 6 member states at the United Nations Human Rights Council, according to the Daily Mirror, as it continues to grapple against another resolution on accountability for mass atrocities.

Jaffna Tamils played an important role in every facet of Malaysian society'

The Jaffna Tamil community has played an important role “in every facet of Malaysian society”, said the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, at a book launch in August.

“These contributions are an integral component of the multicultural nature of Malaysia that we all cherish,” said Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, at the launch of the book titled “They Came From Jaffna”.

Thileepan and other leaders commemorated at Netherlands sports event

A sports tournament was held in Netherlands last month to commemorate the 35th anniversary since the death of the LTTE’s Lt. Col. Thileepan.

Britain’s High Commissioner visits Mannar and Vavuniya

The British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Sarah Hulton, held a series of discussion in Mannar and Vavuniya today, as she embarked on a visit to the North-East.

Iceland's president vows to strengthen bonds of friendship with Sri Lanka

Meeting with Sri Lankan President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, President of Iceland, congratulated the Sri Lankan premier on his appointment and vowed that he would work to strengthen the bond of friendship between the two countries.

100 not out - Mannar resident honoured on Elder's Day

 As Tamils across the North-East marked Children's and the Elders' Day, local authorities in Mannar celebrated the life of Manuel Santhan, a resident who recently turned 100 years old.

The head of the Mannar District Council, as well as other local officials garlanded the senior resident in a ceremony on Saturday. Santhan is a resident of Salamban village in Manthai West Divisional Secretariat Division, Mannar District.


Senthilkumaran Ratnasingam's sacrifice remembered in Geneva

Senthilkumaran Ratnasingam who self immolated in front of the United Nations in Geneva in 2013 was remembered last month. 

The Swiss Tamil Youth Organization paid their respects by laying flowers and lighting lamps for Ratnasingam and to all those who sacrificed their lives for the Tamil right to self-determination.

Volleyball league takes off for first time in Mannar

The Mannar Volleyball Premier League was inaugurated this week, marking the first time that it is taking place in the district, with as many as 96 club players and international standard referees taking part.

The league will see eight teams playing matches throughout October, and aims to showcase and uplift the standard of volleyball in the region.

Sports festival held to commemorate Colonel Shankar in Switzerland

A sports tournament was held in Switzerland to commemorate the life of Colonel Shankar, the pioneer of the LTTE’s air force wing who was assassinated 21 years ago by the Sri Lankan military.

Vaithilingam Sornalingam, known by his nomme de guerre Shankar, was killed in an attack carried out by a deep penetration unit of the Sri Lankan army in the Vanni on September 26, 2001.

Third day of protest for fishermen in Mannar as opposition to farm construction continues

Tamil fishermen in Poonakari carried out their third consecutive day of protest on Monday, as they continued to demonstrate against the construction of a sea cucumber farm which they say will adversely impact on local livelihoods.

The fishermen state that their livelihoods, and that of the many women-headed households in the area, would suffer from the impact of the new farm, crippling their ability to fish and catch crabs and shrimp.